Saturday, February 7, 2009

From Heather Dinich’s ESPN ACC BlogJoining the likes of Texas and Florida State, Maryland now has a head-coach-in-waiting as well.

The Terps’ offensive coordinator James Franklin was named Thursday as the eventual successor to Ralph Friedgen, putting him in line to become the Terrapins' first black head football coach.

Friedgen, who turns 62 in April, still has three years remaining in his contract -- it expires Jan. 2, 2012 -- and he isn't expected to retire before then. But Franklin was hired with the understanding that he would have a chance to be head coach.

There is no specific timeline for how long the 37-year-old Franklin would be the coach-in-waiting; Friedgen has three years remaining on his contract and has not indicated that he is ready to step aside.

Even though he has to wait Franklin said he has "always dreamed" of getting this type of opportunity.

Franklin is entering his seventh season with the Terps. He worked at Maryland from 2000 to 2004, then was hired last season as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Franklin, who has earned a reputation as a top recruiter, has had several other coaching opportunities in recent years, and Maryland wanted to make sure he stuck around. They have been negotiating for the past two weeks.

WHERE IN THE WORLD...?

The way it is...

The way it was...

TAH DAMN GOOD CAUSE OF THE MONTH

NORTHERN HAITI HOPE FOUNDATION: After our recent trip to Haiti, we vowed to do more to help. Clean water is a critical issue for all Haitians. It's particularly problematic for those in rural areas. For $2,000 to $5,000 we can build a new well in a rural village as part of a program facilitated by the St. Barthelemy School and the Warrenton, VA Rotary. Send your donation to Wells of Health and Hope, c/o GPetty-VTA, 38 Garrett Street, Warrenton, VA 20186 and keep your eye on T.A.H. for progress reports. Thanks! CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE INFO.